BRAZIL’S parliament approved a law on Monday creating 20 per cent quotas for mixed-race and black Brazilians in government jobs.

“We have started this change in the racial composition of public officials in the federal administration so it will be more representative of the Brazilian population,” said President Dilma Rousseff during a ceremony for the enactment of the law.

“This is only the beginning.

“We hope this law will serve as an example for the adoption of similar measures in government branches and private businesses and organisations.”

The quota applies to federal agencies and foundations as well as state-controlled companies like oil giant Petrobras and banks Caixa Economica Federal and Banco de Brasil.

However, the quotas do not apply to the legislative and judicial branches, which will require separate legal initiatives if they are to adopt similar targets.

After 13 years of debate Ms Rousseff signed a law in August 2012 that reserved half of university places for public school students, with priority given to black, mixed-race and indigenous candidates.

Afro-Brazilian activists say there has been “some progress in 500 years” towards equality but say that “much remains to be done.”

“Unfortunately, 91 per cent of the black population still have not succeeded in going to university,” said rights group Educafro director and Franciscan monk David Raimundo Santos.

The quotas will remain in force for 10 years and will be reviewed thereafter.